This morning we all met at about 9am. After a short devotional and some prayer time, we headed to a market (called a Bazaar). I was able to buy several things including a Punjabi for Thomas and some bangle bracelets for me. I also bought some (gold - everyone be shocked) earrings there. Some people were able to find more there, but they just didn't have quite what I was looking for. It was fun to look at everything though! When we finished shopping, Bill called two man pulled rickshaws and 4 of us ladies got to ride in them. It was a fun experience! I rode with Mary. When we got back to BMS we had lunch and then some time to relax and rest prior to heading out again. Ellen dared me to eat my lunch with my right hand (the Indian way), so I did!
Proof that I ate a meal with my hand like the Indians do!
(Top pic - Mary and I in the rickshaw)
After lunch A. met us at BMS and we headed back to the village Udayan Pally. This time we started at the other end of the village from where we normally entered and did a prayer walk. As we walked the main street of the village with Pastor Rudra, we prayed for the village. We prayed for safety and that the people would come to knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus. We also prayed that the idols these people spend so much of their time worshiping would fall and mean nothing to them. I personally prayed for the children in the village, that they would be a light for Jesus. As we walked, we continually gathered a crowd of onlookers. How odd (to us) that we were the outsiders! We even saw people grab their cell phones to take pictures of us as we walked. The people were all so kind, all wanting to say "Hello" or "Nomashcar" (Indian formal greeting - like hello) to us. Several would start talking in Bangla even though they knew we didn't understand. The children would come and hold our hands as we walked. 
Sweet villagers who came to see us on our prayer walk
(Top pic - Bill and I prior to the prayer walk - in front of the medicine store!)
When we reached the school house that we have been working at, we went inside to present gifts to our two friends (Santu and Raju) who had helped us immensely during the week (with interpreting, etc). We call these two Mighty Warriors of God! They are amazing young men completely sold out for Christ. Santu was even beat up recently for his belief and yet he comes back every day to teach the children. Both have faced persecution from their families, and yet they persevere. Pastor Rudra has done a great job of training them! Both boys were excited to receive an English Bible as well as some other goodies (including a Texas key chain!). Then we prayed over these Mighty Warriors. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the room when we finished!
Our team praying over two Mighty Warriors of God
Our team in from on New Hope School
After we finished at the school, we loaded back into the Sumo and headed for a couple of sites that Pastor Rudra has a vision for. He told us that New Town was the "up and coming" place in Kolkata. He said that within the year 5000 families would move there...all in need of the one true God. He shared with us his plans for how to spread the Good News. Then we spent some time in prayer at each site. At one of the sites there were pieces of bricks lying around. Ellen suggested that we each take a piece of brick as a reminder to pray for Pastor Rudra, his visions, the city of New Town, and even all of Kolkata and India. After receiving permission from Rudra to take the brick (everything is used and recycled in India), we each picked a piece of brick. Then it was back into the Sumo once more.
This time we headed to Pastor Rudra's house. He and his wife had invited us over for dinner. We enjoyed some time of relaxing fellowship. Rudra shared his testimony with us and then shared the story of how he met Mita (his precious wife). They had an arranged marriage, but its still a great story of how he got his first look at her! Mita made an amazing traditional bengali meal of rice, dal, and "big mutton". It was probably the best meal we had there! Several of us (me included) used our hands to eat dinner as is the Indian way! When we finished eating we presented Rudra and Mita and their 3 children with gifts also. Then after a time of prayer over them, it was time to say goodbye for the night. As we were leaving Rudra shook my hand. He then looked me in the eye and say "I have a feeling we will be seeing you here again!" Wow, did that pierce my heart. I had already felt in the short time we had been there that God was calling me to come back at some point, but I had yet to even verbalize it to anyone on the team. Um...yes God, I'm listening! :)
After the short trip back to BMS, it was time to shower, catch up with mom on Viber (such a cool phone app), and head to bed.
Up tomorrow - Another medical clinic (in a different village) and dinner at some fellow American's house.
Praying over Rudra and Mita
(Top pic - Rudra and Mita and their children)
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